Consumer Information

Appliances

Energy Star - ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. Product lists of recommended appliances. Purchasing advice and savings calculators on some appliances are available here.

Consortium for Energy Efficiency -
Lists of specifications for energy efficiency and product lists of CEE recommended appliances. Also includes information for residential, commercial, and industrial consumers.

Comparison Shopping

Lowermybills.com - LowerMyBills.com is the first nationwide site that empowers you to lower all of your monthly bills - all in one place. With our marketplace partners and search engine technology we find the best offers for you, whether in insurance, mortgages, long distance, or credit cards.

ShoppingSpot -
ShoppingSpot is the consumer information portal of the Web. The site was designed to break through the information overload of the Web to bring the best shopping and consumer information sites together with insightful editorial in one convenient, user-friendly spot.

Consumer Protection

Consumer Product Safety Commission - "The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction."

ConsumerSearch - Helps consumers find answers about what products are top-rated or best bets in their class.

Consumer Reports - For full ratings reports a subscription is required, but Consumer Reports provides some information for free online.

Consumer World -
Consumer World is a public service, non-commercial guide cataloging over 2000 of the most useful consumer resources.

Federal Citizen Information Center -
Provides free or low cost publications, especially pamphlets and articles on a variety of consumer topics. Most of the information is produced by the government. Contains a downloadable Consumer Information Catalog for ordering pamphlets and other publications.

Energy Savers -
From the Federal Government, this site provides information for homeowners and others involved in the building industry. Also includes the Energy Star® Program and energy calculators.

FuelEconomy.gov -
Find and compare the gas mileage, greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution ratings of different cars. Also includes fuel economy guide, ratings, and tips as well as links to gasoline price data in cities across the US.

Global Footprint Network -
Allows you to calculate your ecological footprint – the amount of resources it takes to sustain your lifestyle. You might be surprised.

TreeHugger -
Provides a wealth of information about being green from witty writers all over the world. Includes information on such things as “How to Green Your Pets” and “How to Green Your Community”.

Local Consumer Resources

Health Care Information Center - "The center provides both performance and outcome information on hospitals in Kentucky, as well as information about quality of care. Additionally, we will provide measurements of how well preventive care efforts are working to reduce the number of inpatient stays in Kentucky hospitals."